Every place has a history, a story to tell, and 7 Mile Fair is no exception. A living legacy, its roots are as American as apple pie. When founder Charles Niles made his dream come true in the spring of 196 i , he had no idea that he was creating so much more than just a flea market. Built on a foundation of simple trust and a hearly handshake, the farmland thatT Mile Fair still occupies was the first place in its vicinity where people could come to exchange unused or unwanted goods. It was designed with the vision that the average person would have a place to sell items from their homes, and also provide an opportunity for the aspiring entrepreneur to start his/her own business. Since opening its doors in April of 1961, 7 Mile Fair has grown to become the largest indoor/outdoor flea market in the state of Wisconsin, and perhaps the entire Midwest region.

7 Mile Fair is a labor of love, and manifested only after years of trials and tribulations. Charles, known to most as "Chuck," had an entrepreneurial spirit that kept him moving from one idea to the next, always seeking something that was not only financially sound, but also fulfilling. A hard worker hailing from Michigan, Chuck found hirnself in Wisconsin in his twenties, where he met and married Eleanor, with whom he spent the rest of his life. Not long into their marriage, they were blessed with five children. Chuck did whatever it took to support his family, all the while never losing his persistence in pursuing a dream.

He and Eleanor experienced some lean times during these early years, as Chuck tried one idea after another. So, when he saw a "for rent" sign at a local grocery store in Milwaukee near their home, he decided to go on another venture. He eventually bought the store, and Eleanor helped out at the store doing whatever was needed, also making sure the kids were well taken care of, a job in and of itself. They worked well together as a team, both focused and determined to do well by their family. But when supermarkets started to become more popular, their "mom and pop" grocery store suffered, and it was time, yet again, to seek something elsewhere.

Having been in the heating and air conditioning business for a while (at one time Chuck ran what was then Niles Heating & Air Conditioning), Chuck started to notice things in people's attics and basements, and thought, "what if there were a place where they could swap?" Thus, the dream of 7 Mile Fair was born.

While maintaining long hours at the grocery store, Chuck managed to find time to go out hunting for land, primarily between Milwaukee and Chicago, hoping to find the very place to get this new idea going. He finally found it, in the town of Raymond, in 1961. Now it was mostly up to Eleanor to run the grocery store while Chuck spent weekends out at the Fair, getting things going. Word quickly spread, and not long after its debut, a community of family and camaraderie was immediately created amongst the vendors, the employees, the visitors, and of course, the Niles family, who continue to carry on the dream of Charles since his passing in 1980.

7 Mile Fair became a friendly meeting place, a "weekend escape." Early bird "regulars" showed up to hear the sound of the rooster crowing and see the sun rise over the grounds, searching for the freshest produce, prettiest flowers and best deals. Vendors met over coffee to chat, and visitors enjoyed walking the midway and saying hello to friends while spending quality time with family and shopping for one-of-a-kind items. 7 Mile Fair brings to light the old adage "one man's junk is another man's treasure," as people bargain hunt for unique items, such as collectibles and antiques, and lose themselves in the day as they wander along, never knowing what treasure they may stumble upon

For a while, Eleanor continued to handle the grocery store and come out to join Chuck on the weekends at the Fair. But eventually, it got to be too much, and they decided it was time to let the grocery store go. Chuck had finally found what "clicked," according to Eleanor. "And that was it." So, Chuck and Eleanor made 7 Mile Fair their life. As with any new business, things take time. So, while the Fair was building up its reputation and gaining exposure, Chuck still took on extra jobs, while Grandma minded the kids. He even sold cookies and had a route in Northern Wisconsin, having to leave his family for nights at a time. "But we needed the money if we were going to make something of it" says Eleanor.

Eventually, the commute to the Fair at 5 am all the way from the city of Milwaukee got to be a bit tiring, so the Niles family moved out to the country, and made their home in the town of Rayrnond. While Chuck worked hard at the Fair, so did Eleanor. Amazingly, she still was able to make quality time for her children. She recalls making special trips home to bring lunch to her eldest son, Scott, before heading quickly back to the Fair again. Her eldest daughter, Wendy, was still attending high school in Milwaukee, and her middle child, Cindy, had the job of babysitting the youngest, Kurt. Jeff, the second eldest son, soon worked alongside Scott with their Dad, learning the in's and out's of the business. "Some day you're gonna run this place," Chuck would say to them.

With hard work came a lot of great memories. When asked what Chuck enjoyed most in life, Eleanor said, "His fun was the Fair until the day he died. He'd be up at 5 am every day, have his coffee and his cigarette and head out, eager to get to out and on his way."

Many Sunday nights were spent enjoying drinks and dancing after hours, as the Fair became like a large family. New Year's Eve parties and other get-togethers were very popular, bringing many people together.

Once the Fair really got going, Chuck had to start hiring neighborhood kids for extra help. Eleanor had carried enough heavy coffeepots from one end of the midway to the other! And while she managed the money, Chuck spent it- on investments. Always thinking ahead, that was Chuck. "He just did what he wanted," says Eleanor. "He made things happen." It's evident that his focused and confident attitude led him to his success, but not without the support of his wife.

7 Mile Fair has far surpassed anything Chuck could have imagined, and is running strong today. Stay tuned for next month's continuing story of how 7 Mile Fair came to be what it is today.